Keeping up with technology is straining for over 35s

SORE eyes and small buttons are the main problems when it comes to keeping up with technology, says IT guru Bruce Kerr.

According to an Australian Family Trends paper released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies yesterday, one in 10 Australians under 35 feel they have been left behind by advances in modern information communication technology, while one third of those aged 35-49 and two thirds of over-65s felt the same.

Mr Kerr, of Kerr Solutions, said the figures didn't surprise him at all.

"The sub-35 age group are the fastest and most willing to adapt to new technology," he said.

"As a 47-year-old myself, a big factor comes back to eyesight. If you just need your glasses for reading, it's not convenient to fish around for your glasses every time you want to use your phone.

"They used to be big bricks, with big numbers, now they have tiny buttons."

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Mr Kerr says while many people try to keep up with the latest and greatest, sometimes it's easier to settle for something a bit more sensible.

"The older generation tries to keep up with the iPhones and Samsungs but my advice is to go with bigger phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note," he said.

"I have a lot of people over 35 come in to get help with setting up email accounts and things. They're worried about making a mistake."